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Brazil’s largest corruption investigation in history hits new heights … and lows

Brazil’s experience in running what is likely the largest corruption investigation ever has reached new heights in the past month as the country's president and other politicians were recorded in suspicious dealings with the president of one of its largest business groups.

The scandal centered around JBS, a food group with a large presence in the United States, has had a double effect on public opinion. On the one hand, it has shown that being a corrupt politician or a crooked businessperson has become a much riskier career choice than ever in Brazil. But it has made clear as well that the traditional beneficiaries of Brazil’s crony capitalism remain keen on maintaining their old practices.

The scandal also marks the latest big corporation in Brazil to announce reinforcements to a discredit compliance programme. JBS has announced the hiring of Marcelo Proença, a commercial lawyer and a professor at the University of... To get the full story, subscribe now.